When the Subject is Culture - Talk can be Cheap
At TLC we live our culture every day. It's in our core. It's part of what makes us unique. Here is a glimpse of that culture, broken down into 20 key elements that we call our 'Points of Culture'. After each is a single PROOF statement, giving an example of how we live these points of culture every day.
1. Demand a safe workplace
Proof: Our Holland MI facility has gone over 27 years without a workplace injury. All TLC operations rank among the safest in the industry.
2. Remain entrepreneurial, leveraging our innovative mindset
Proof: Flat organizational structures and empowered associates enable us to infuse our process-oriented company with a continuous stream of innovation. It's good to break things - to make them better.
3. No bureaucracy
Proof: We empower Associates to make decisions and take actions that are in the best interest of the client and our business. Make it happen.
4. Be an employer of choice
Proof: We attract top talent from around the industry. They come to TLC for the rewarding and dynamic environment - and to be part of one of the best teams in our industry.
5. Be a vendor of choice
Proof: In a highly price-conscious industry we attract some of the best companies from around the world - and all of them will tell you that what sets TLC apart has little to do with price.
6. Remain union Free
Proof: By paying a competitive market wage, investing in employee training, empowering Associates, rewarding individual performance, and promoting from within we create a performance-oriented environment where our people can thrive.
7. Develop people for success
Proof: We invest in our people - both to enable them to become more valuable to the enterprise and to advance their careers.
8. Create opportunities for our employees
Proof: Our fast track programs identify rising talent, invest in ongoing development and then we promote from within. We do this at all levels. Associates can rise as fast and far as their abilities will take them.
9. Create culture “open” to all ideas
Proof: Our continuous improvement program (PIT), which began in 2005, has produced over 10,000 IMPLEMENTED new ideas with a total savings of over $16 million dollars for our clients.
10. Exceed our clients' expectations
Proof: Year-over-year awards from clients for outstanding network and facility performance. TLC is a best-in-class operator in ways that add value to clients' supply chains.
11. Always be fair
Proof: Our empowered culture rests upon respect for the individual. This requires fairness and predictable outcomes for all Associates, clients and other stakeholders.
12. Remember the client in all we do
Proof: Our engagements are based upon client-driven KPI's. We must deliver new value year-over-year. Our Associates are rewarded on client-centered performance goals.
13. Stay flexible
Proof: Our reporting, visibility and compliance systems are designed to deliver the information our clients demand. Each is customized to meet the needs of that particular instance.
14. Be a learning organization, expanding our supply chain solutions business knowledge
Proof: We invest heavily every year in keeping our people current and ahead of the curve. We offer TLC-U and also participate aggressively in associations, exposing our associates to the best ideas and minds in our industry.
15. Fairly reward our people
Proof: Our turnover in our facility business is 25% under the industry norm. Our turnover in transportation is 60% below the industry average. Fair compensation is one element in this retention.
16. Create a winning atmosphere
Proof: Visit a facility. Any facility. They sparkle. They buzz. They hum. This comes from a motivated and empowered workforce, all focused on clear and common goals.
17. Create shareholder value
Proof: We have always been a strong and profitable company. This stems from a philosophy of conservative growth, service to the client, respect for the individual and a fair return to our shareholders.
18. Be good members of our communities
Proof: We invest in and give back to the communities in which we serve. Associates in each TLC facility influence which causes and issues we can help a difference in.
19. Be respected by our competitors
We are not envied ... but admired. We can tell you about our reputation but the best way to verify this is to ask our clients and competitors.
20. HAVE FUN
Proof: Work hard. Play hard. Our work environments are serious places but we never take ourselves too seriously. Ask an associate. TLC is a fun place to work.